Abstract: A method of making a sterile connection comprises mating a first fitting having an aperture and a second fitting having an aperture, removing first and second strip out layers from between the end surfaces of sealed first and second resilient sealing members, and contacting the end surfaces of the resilient sealing members to provide fluid communication between the aperture of the first fitting and the aperture of the second fitting. A connector assembly comprises first and second fittings, a stem mounted for axial movement through the first fitting into the second fitting, and a deformable locking device which selectively prevents axial movement of the stem in the first fitting.

Abstract: A valve (600) comprising a housing (400) having first and second sections (100, 200) engaged together, wherein one section can rotated with respect to the other section from a position wherein fluid flow through the 101 housing is prevented, to a second position wherein fluid flow through the housing is allowed, is disclosed.

Abstract: A connector assembly and a fluid system or device comprises a connector assembly which includes first and second fittings, each fitting having an aperture, a first cap, and a stem disposed in the aperture of the first fitting. In various embodiments of the invention, the connector assembly further comprises a socket cooperatively arranged with one of the first and second fittings and at least one resilient sealing member. A method for making a connection includes removing a cap, mating first and second fittings, removing a stripout layer, and establishing a fluid flowpath through the first and second fittings.

Abstract: A filter device (100) comprising a filter (10) for producing a leukocyte-depleted plasma-rich fluid is disclosed.

Abstract: A connector or a connector assembly comprises a fitting, a resilient sealing member, a plurality of protrusions, and a removable stripout layer. The fitting includes a socket. The protrusions extend from the fitting and are connectable to a mating connector. The resilient sealing layer, which is disposed in the socket of the fitting, includes a hollow body having opposite open ends and an internal passage extending between the open ends. The removable stripout layer is movable between a first position in which the stripout layer overlies an end of the resilient sealing member and a second position in which the stripout layer is removed from the end of the resilient sealing member.

Abstract: Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies decrease the leucocyte content of a leucocyte-containing liquid at a flow rate of greater than about 25 milliliters per minute. These filter assemblies are suitable for use in an extracorporeal circuit. Methods for removing leucocytes and other deleterious matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for collecting and processing donated blood comprises a first porous medium interposed between a blood collection bag and a satellite bag and a second porous medium interposed between the blood collection bag and another satellite bag. The porous media are leucocyte depletion media. The system may also include one or more of the following: a red cell barrier medium, a separation medium, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The system can be used to centrifuge whole blood into one or more components, and includes a means for protecting the system during centrifugation.

Abstract: A system for collecting and processing donated blood comprises a first porous medium interposed between a blood collection bag and a satellite bag and a second porous medium interposed between the blood collection bag and another satellite bag. The porous media are leucocyte depletion media. The system may also include one or more of the following: a red cell barrier medium, a separation medium, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The system can be used to centrifuge whole blood into one or more components, and includes a means for protecting the system during centrifugation.

Abstract: Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies and methods for removing leucocytes and other deleterious matter from a leucocyte-containing liquid are disclosed. Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies have a generally cylindrical housing having first and second chambers and an inlet into the first chamber and an outlet from the second chamber and a vent. A porous degassing element is positioned between the first and second chambers to remove gas from the liquid and the degassing element communicates with a vent covered with a liquophobic membrane which allows gas but not the liquid to flow through the vent. A hollow, cylindrical filter element is positioned in the second chamber and comprises a fibrous mass of microfibers capable of decreasing the leucocyte content of the liquid at a flow rate capacity of six liters per minute at a differential pressure of less than 15 psi.

Abstract: Leucocyte depletion filter assemblies decrease the leucocyte content of a biological fluid in an extracorporeal circuit. These filter assemblies are suitable for use in an extracorporeal circuit. Methods for removing leucocytes and other deleterious matter are also disclosed. The removal medium used in these assemblies and methods may be pleated structures which have been subjected to gas plasma treatment, improving the amount of leucocytes removed and increasing the amount of platelets which pass through the medium.

Abstract: A filter device and method are provided for treating parenteral nutrient fluids, particularly TNA systems containing lipids, glucose, and amino acids. The filter device comprises a housing and a microporous medium in the form of a synthetic polymeric microporous structure having a pore rating of less than 1.2 micrometers. A preferred microporous medium comprises, in series, a matrix of microfibers which has been radiation grafted to render the matrix wettable by parenteral nutrient fluids followed by a microporous membrane, also wettable by parenteral nutrient fluids, and having a finer pore rating than the microfibrous matrix.

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquids in drop form of substantially uniform size is provided which includes a container having a dropper tip including a passageway for ingress of air to and egress of liquid from the device, the passageway communicating between the container and an orifice in the dropper tip; means for temporarily reducing the volume of the container; and, disposed within the dropper tip, across the passageway, a microporous composite membrane with pores of a size to resist passage of contaminants. The membrane has a liquophilic component which permits delivery of drops of a liquid to a desired location outside the container and a liquophobic component which is adapted to resist the passage of such liquid but to permit the passage therethrough of air. Both the liquophilic and liquophobic components of the membrane (which intersects the passageway) communicate with the passageway.

Abstract: A system for collecting and processing donated blood comprises a first porous medium interposed between a blood collection bag and a satellite bag and a second porous medium interposed between the blood collection bag and another satellite bag. The porous media are leucocyte depletion media. The system may also include one or more of the following: a red cell barrier medium, a separation medium, a gas inlet, and a gas outlet. The system can be used to centrifuge whole blood into one or more components, and includes a means for protecting the system during centrifugation.

Abstract: A porous medium having a positive surface change removes heparin from a heparin-containing liquid, without removing other proteinaceous components from the liquid. Methods and devices are disclosed.